US 2003/0067657 A1 · Method and apparatus to compensate for atmospheric effects and target motion in laser communication system

Method and apparatus to compensate for atmospheric effects and target motion in laser communication system

OwnerWolfgang M. Dimmler, Bernard M. Gudaitis +9inventors

InventorsWolfgang M. Dimmler, Bernard M. Gudaitis, Juan M. Ceniceros, Ralph R. Galetti, Matthew Flint Kepler, Mark Laine, Ralph Pringle, Tracy Shurtleff, Frank Zoltowski, Joseph N. Paranto, Jeff Connors

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Abstract

A free-space laser communication system and method for compensating for the atmospheric effects and target motion of a target that may occur during free-space laser communication between of a pair of the systems. Each system makes use of a plurality of narrow infrared (IR) laser beams, a means for pointing and tracking the laser, an adaptive optics system and a communications transceiver. Optionally turbo coding techniques may be used to encode data transmitted by each of the systems. The laser communication system is less susceptible to adverse weather effects that could otherwise negatively influence the operation of an optical communication system.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A free space two-way laser communication system for establishing a two-way, free-space communication link, comprising:

a laser transmitter for generating a narrow beam infrared signal for carrying communication data adapted to be received by an independent laser communication device at a location remote from said communication system;
and
a pointing and tracking system for aiming said infrared signal at said independent laser communication device and for tracking said independent laser communication device.

A free-space communication system consisting of at least two ends, with each end having substantially identical two-way laser communication systems that are in communication with each other to form a two-way free-space laser communication link, wherein each end of said laser communication link is comprised of:

a laser transmitter for generating a narrow beam infrared signal for carrying communication data adapted to be received by the communication system at an opposite end of said communication link;
a pointing and tracking system for aiming said narrow beam infrared signal at said opposite end of said communication link and for tracking said system at said opposite end of said communication link;
a communication receiver for receiving said infrared signal;
and
a data encoding/decoding electronics subsystem responsive to said communication receiver for decoding said communication data.

2 more elements

A method for pointing and tracking the ends of a free-space communication system consisting of at least two ends, with each end having substantially identical two-way laser communication systems that are in communication with each other to form a two-way free-space laser communication link, the method comprising the steps of:

initially aligning the laser communication systems at each end of said communication link prior to commencing transmission of a laser communication signal from at least one of said systems;
maintaining alignment of said laser communication systems during operation of said systems;
and
performing periodic realignment and recalibration of the laser communication systems of said communication link at predetermined time intervals.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.